Chris and James Gowans left their mark on SA football after moving from St Kilda
CHRIS and James Gowans tormented opposition teams and fans for more than a decade — and even confused their own at Central District Football Club.
CHRIS and James Gowans tormented opposition teams and fans for more than a decade — and even confused their own at the Central District Football Club.
In their final season in 2012 — after they carried the SANFL’s image against the AFL’s ever-increasing shadow in Adelaide — the 35-year-old twins were “managed” playing on alternate weeks.
One weekend, Chris played; James rested. And when the best-and-fairest slips were counted at Elizabeth, James scored three votes.
There also is the story of when the Gowans swapped in a forward pocket against North Adelaide — kicking nine goals — and fellow Hall of Famer, Roosters coach Darel Hart, sprayed a young defender saying: “Is there any chance you could pick up one of them?” Future AFL player Jared Rivers replied: “There are two of them?”
The Gowan twins on Tuesday night entered the Hall of Fame together, Chris before James purely on alphabetical order but with both equally recognised for being the face of the SANFL competition from the moment they arrived from St Kilda in 2000.
The story of how the Gowans came to choose their SANFL club leaves three clubs — Port Adelaide, South Adelaide and West Adelaide — with regret.
Magpies coach Stephen Williams was the first SANFL coach to approach the Gowans, meeting them in a Port Melbourne hotel.
The Panthers then offered more money, but failed to put their deal in writing.
And when Bulldogs chief Kris Grant met the Gowans twins in Melbourne, they thought it was best to join Central because they knew future captain Daniel Healy from St Kilda.
The one-year “visit” to Adelaide never led to a recall to the AFL — and after winning nine SANFL flags and setting up a building business in Adelaide, both twins have no regret.
“Coming to Adelaide was the best thing for us — it is the one time being twins did not work against us,” James said.
“Being two of the same at St Kilda killed us — and we always wanted to be together.”
Chris added: “We came to Adelaide for a year to play some good footy and get picked up in the AFL draft. No one even looked at us. And we won’t complain. We became notorious here. We found there is life after footy here.
“We were successful in footy — and had so much enjoyment playing here. We also made so many best mates here.”
James noted “we came through the SANFL at a beautiful time”.
“We were part of a competition that has fans who are there week after week for their clubs,” he said.
“And we played for something that meant so much to so many people.”
So strong was the Gowans’ image in SA football, the SANFL and its then-telecaster, the ABC, built the game’s promotion on the twins.
“We spent eight hours making a 20-second commercial ... I developed so much respect for actors after that,” Chris said.
The Gowans enter the Hall of Fame after celebrating the 10th anniversary of Central’s 2004 flag at a reunion — and declaring they are “embarrassed” to be the lone Bulldogs honoured from the club’s greatest era.
“Do we have any more right than our premiership teammates like “Heals”, Daniel Schell, Matthew Slade or Nathan Steinberner?” James said. “We hung on longer.”
Chris added: “We were so lucky with injuries — as we got older we did not do hamstrings or have calf injuries. We’ve been so lucky.”
HOW THEY REACTED
CHAD CORNES
I WAS shocked when I got the call. It is not something I ever thought about for one second. It is the biggest honour of my career. I am humbled by it all. All of my football heroes growing up are in the Hall of Fame. To be in that group is quite special.
TYSON EDWARDS
IT is a huge honour. Did I ever think I would be among this company? No, I wouldn’t. To be recognised as a Hall of Famer is really humbling - a huge honour.
PHIL GALLAGHER
TO be recognised as having made a contribution to the game is a proud moment for me. It is also recognition of all of those people with whom I have been involved with at the Norwood Football Club and the SANFL in both the playing and administration of the game. In particular, Wally Miller who was the person who inspired me to give back to the game and whose own contribution is unparalleled.
CHRIS GOWANS
IT’S a big honour, no doubt about that — and totally unexpected. To win nine flags means you were lucky to be part of a great side. To be in the Hall of Fame, well that is humbling. I’ve stood on the mound at Glenelg Oval drinking beers with (Peter) “Super” Carey. Now I standing next to him in the Hall of Fame. That’s really humbling.
JAMES GOWANS
LIKE Chris said, it is a big honour. It’s also a privilege. I never thought this would happen when we came over from Melbourne thinking we would stay here for a year and then get a crack at the AFL again. But we just kept getting lucky in Adelaide. I still don’t believe I’m in the Hall of Fame.
DAREL HART
I DON’T know how to describe it. I have never been prouder — I hope that shows what it means to me. It will mean a lot of my mum and dad. Dad loved watching me play. For it to lead to the Hall of Fame will make him very proud. That is very important to me.
TONY MODRA
I WAS speechless when I was told of my selection — and I still do not know what to say. My first thought was, “Do I deserve it; did I play enough games?” To be with the greats of SA football it such a fantastic thrill and honour.
TIM PFEIFFER
IT is totally unexpected. I never went into umpiring for such accolades, so this is the nice icing on the cake for something I enjoyed doing. It is great recognition of a long career. And when you look at the legendary people in the Hall of Fame, you are left asking yourself: Do I fit into this group. It is exciting to have been thought in that way.
MATTHEW PRIMUS
I AM very honoured. Looking at the list of Hall of Famers, they are some of the greats of SA football — and Australian football. I am honoured to be seen in that class.